Anemia is one of the most common hematological diseases that affects children, adults, and seniors. Statistically, this condition occurs more often in women. It is due to women losing blood during menstruation, a higher risk of anemia during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and lower iron stores in the body than men.
This condition develops due to certain blood disorders, including too low a hemoglobin level, a reduced hematocrit (the number of red blood cells about other blood components), and a low level of erythrocytes (a reduced number of red blood cells).
In anemia, the blood's ability to transport oxygen is limited, which results in insufficient oxygenation of the body's tissues and organs.
It depends to a large extent on the type of anemia, but this condition always requires consultation with a doctor. Depending on the severity of the disease, the following types of this condition are distinguished (classification according to the course):
Anemia can have different causes. The two main reasons for anemia are problems with making red blood cells and losing red blood cells:
As mentioned earlier, when patients develop anemia, their body cells suffer from oxygen deprivation, which is why the symptoms characteristic of the individual types of this condition are similar. Patients then complain of the following ailments:
Anemia can have many causes, and one common cause is a lack of significant nutrients, especially iron. Iron deficiency anemia can lead to specific changes in appetite. Some people may experience pain and a burning feeling in their tongue. When iron deficiency anemia happens, the skin can become dry. Other signs include thin and brittle nails, which may develop stripes and grooves, and increased hair loss. Treatment for iron deficiency anemia usually lasts 4 to 6 months because the body needs time to rebuild its iron stores.
Anemia in pregnancy is a relatively common phenomenon – it is said that up to 40% of expectant mothers may have a problem with a reduced amount of hemoglobin or the number of erythrocytes in the blood. It is related to the fact that the pregnant woman's body must produce 20-30% more blood to support the proper development of the fetus. As a result, the woman's body's demand for iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid increases.
In most cases, mild anemia in the second and third trimester of pregnancy is not a reason for worry. However, it is worth remembering that in a more severe stage or if the disease is not treated, this condition in pregnancy can lead to serious complications, such as premature birth or giving birth to a child with low birth weight.
Therefore, pregnant women should be aware of any symptoms that could suggest the development of anemia, such as:
Remember that in the initial phase, this condition may be completely asymptomatic, so it is significant for expectant mothers to perform all blood tests ordered by the doctor regularly.
Anemia may have diverse causes. Different types of anemia should be distinguished depending on the diagnostics results.
Post-hemorrhagic anemia occurs due to blood loss, which can be acute, from an injury, or chronic, such as from the digestive or urinary tracts. An adult can tolerate losing up to 20% of their blood volume without showing any symptoms of anemia. The signs of this condition largely depend on how fast the bleeding occurs, the total amount of blood lost, and the patient’s age. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the bleeding, and in cases of significant blood loss, a blood transfusion may be required.
Iron-deficiency anemia results from too little iron in the organism. As a result, heme synthesis is damaged, and red blood cells are created that are smaller than standard and have less hemoglobin. It is the most typical anemia type. Treatment involves the use of iron preparations.
Sideroblastic anemias are rare, and the body cannot use iron effectively, leading to low hemoglobin in red blood cells and ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow. They can be congenital or acquired from lead poisoning, alcoholism, or certain drug reactions. Treatment varies based on the cause.
Anemia of chronic disease accompanies chronic diseases such as bacterial, parasitic, fungal infections, malignant tumors, autoimmune diseases, nonspecific intestinal inflammation, heart failure, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and obesity. It usually manifests several months after the onset of the underlying disease, and its severity is associated with the severity of the underlying condition—effective treatment of the underlying disease results in the resolution of this disease.
Megaloblastic anemia, resulting from deficiencies in vitamin B12 or folic acid, is marked by unusually large red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the bloodstream. This condition arises due to a lack of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folic acid. The most commonly encountered forms include Addison's disease and Biermer's disease (pernicious anemia), where vitamin B12 deficiency stems from absorption issues linked to autoantibodies that target Castle's intrinsic factor. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying causes of the vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies, alongside appropriate supplementation.
Hemolytic anemias (congenital and acquired) are diseases of various causes in which there is an abnormal breakdown of erythrocytes (red blood cells), i.e., hemolysis. They can be congenital or acquired. Hemolysis may appear inside blood vessels, in the liver, and spleen. Symptoms are the same as in other anemias. Additionally, jaundice and dark urine may occur. Treatment depends on the cause of hemolytic anemia.
Aplastic anemia is a condition where the bone marrow fails to work properly. This can happen because the bone marrow is underdeveloped or malfunctioning. As a result, it does not make enough red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
People with aplastic anemia may feel weak and struggle to catch their breath while doing physical activity. They might also experience symptoms from having too few white blood cells, like fevers and a higher risk of infections. A low platelet count can also cause tiny red spots, called petechiae, to appear on the skin and mucous membranes.
Treatment for aplastic anemia varies based on its cause and severity.
Untreated anemia can lead to various health issues, ranging from mild symptoms like tiredness, headaches, and trouble concentrating to serious problems like heart failure. This is a serious condition that can signal other significant health problems. Many diseases list anemia as a symptom. Severe anemia can cause symptoms that indicate complications and serious conditions such as:
Untreated anemia can also negatively affect the brain. Failure to take appropriate action promptly results in insufficient oxygen being supplied to brain cells and tissues.
How quickly or even whether we can combat this condition depends primarily on the cause of the disease, its stage of advancement, and the patient's age.
Diagnosis of anemia is possible thanks to a detailed interview and laboratory tests. The doctor orders primarily a blood test (morphology) and serum iron levels. Depending on the symptoms, it may also be advisable to determine the vitamin concentration and liver and kidney parameters. If it is necessary to precisely determine the cause of this condition and the source of bleeding, an abdominal ultrasound, gynecological tests, gastroscopy, or colonoscopy are performed.
Peripheral blood morphology provides information on the number and volume of red blood cells, the number of white blood cells, and platelets. This test also allows for determining the hemoglobin concentration in the blood serum and the red blood cell itself.
Anemia is associated with clear changes in blood morphology:
The deterioration of hemoglobin synthesis (too little of it is produced) is caused by a decrease in the volume of erythrocytes. Newly formed blood cells have a smaller volume and often an abnormal shape. The decrease in hemoglobin in the blood cells and serum is associated with impaired formation. A blood cell with a reduced volume is characteristic of iron deficiency, and its increased volume appears in vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency.
If anemia occurs in the course of bone marrow cancer, then in the blood count picture, in addition to anemia, other disorders are also noticeable – too few leukocytes and platelets.
To see if there is no iron deficiency in the body, it is also necessary to check the concentration of ferritin (i.e., a protein whose task is to accumulate iron) in the serum and determine its binding capacity. Suppose the iron level is reduced, and its binding capacity is at the upper limit of the norm or exceeds it. In that case, even if the iron concentration in the serum is normal, its deficiency in the body can be recognized.
Iron deficiency occurring during pregnancy, estrogen therapy, and in hypochromic and microcytic anemia causes an increase in transferrin levels (a protein responsible for transporting iron to tissues), which is why its level is also determined when anemia is suspected.
The treatment for anemia varies significantly, depending on its cause and severity, which can range from mild to life-threatening. For instance, anemia stemming from iron deficiency requires supplementation with oral iron preparations and an iron-rich diet. Foods that are excellent sources of iron include meat, cold cuts, organ meats (especially liver), whole grains, fish, egg yolks, seeds (like pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame), nuts (particularly pistachios), and green vegetables (such as spinach, dill, parsley, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts), along with beets.
When anemia is linked to a deficiency in vitamin B12, it might be necessary to administer this vitamin via intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. If another underlying condition is causing anemia, the treatment will focus on addressing that specific illness. For example, anemia associated with chronic kidney disease often requires erythropoietin.
In severe cases of anemia, a blood transfusion may be needed, and in extreme situations, procedures like bone marrow transplants or plasmapheresis (which involves exchanging blood plasma) can be performed. It’s important to note that treatment for deficiency anemia might extend over several months. Once treatment concludes, your doctor will likely order follow-up blood tests to monitor your progress.
Iron should be taken on an empty stomach, preferably first thing in the morning. Many people may experience black or green stools after taking supplements. Black stools may indicate bleeding from the digestive tract in people who do not take iron, but in people taking supplements, this stool color is normal. Diarrhea may also occur, and if it is bothersome – you should consult a doctor.
In the case of anemia, a proper diet is essential, thanks to which it is possible to replenish the deficiencies of certain substances. What is worth eating?
As mentioned, the most important thing is to find the cause of anemia. It is necessary to specify the treatment methods and diet. If iron deficiency is diagnosed, the basis of the diet is the consumption of products rich in iron, which should not be combined with products that can inhibit iron absorption, i.e., those containing polyphenols (green tea, soy, beans) or phytates (e.g., whole grain products, nuts, tofu, almonds, etc.).
Coffee, magnesium, or zinc supplements can also impair iron absorption. Therefore, to not impair iron absorption when using the above products simultaneously, an appropriate interval is necessary – at least a few hours, between using preparations or products containing iron and products that impair its absorption.
In case of anemia, it is better to avoid alcohol, which can disrupt the proper functioning of the bone marrow, in which new blood cells are created.
Anemia often affects pregnant women. This is because, during pregnancy, a woman's body shows an increased demand for iron. At the beginning of pregnancy, iron is essential for the proper development of the fetus, while at the end of pregnancy, it protects the body against perinatal blood loss.
If anemia is diagnosed during pregnancy, it is necessary to use a properly balanced diet enriched with supplementation. In case of anemia, preparations with an iron content of 30-60 mg throughout the pregnancy are worth consuming. The diet for anemia should include products that contain easily absorbed iron. This includes, for example, lean meat, fish, spinach, beetroot, or broad beans. Iron absorption can be additionally enhanced by combining products rich in iron with products rich in vitamin C, e.g. orange juice, lemon juice, or parsley.
A proper diet for anemia is necessary, especially during pregnancy. Untreated anemia during pregnancy can lead to premature birth and sometimes even miscarriage.
Table of Contents
